Funeral Ceremony

As your dedicated Chichester-based funeral celebrant, I help you to say farewell to your loved one with
compassion, creativity and care

funeral celebrant at chichester crematorium
I have links with the best funeral directors in Chichester, West Sussex and beyond. I will also be there for you if you need me. I will be at the end of my phone. After cremation, the ashes will be returned to you. There are many unique choices out there for how best to value the ashes and I am happy to chat these through with you when the time is right.

Thus you will have more time for yourself and your healing. When you’re ready, we can plan your ideal farewell ceremony.

Just make one phone call
Caroline James funeral ceremonies celebrant headshot

Funeral Ceremony Farewell Service

Over the past few years, cremation has increasingly become the number one choice of funeral service in the U.K. for all sorts of different reasons. Inevitably perhaps, this has led to limited choices as to how unique and inspiring a service of farewell can be.

We all know that uncomfortable feeling of being ushered along so the “next funeral” isn’t held up. It is normal nowadays for cremations to happen ‘back to back’, usually leaving around twenty minutes to get seated, listen to the eulogy, hear some anecdotes and perhaps a couple of pieces of relevant music. Then take your leave. Next…!

 You can do things differently.

Some of the funeral ceremony choices I can offer you

Direct cremation

This is the option where your deceased loved one is taken away and cared for with dignity until their remains can be cremated without any service or attendees.

Attended direct cremation

This option allows a few people to attend the cremation. There is no service provided at the time, simply the opportunity to be there.
funeral ceremony chapel

Private chapel service

I can officiate a very small, highly personalised ceremony in the private chapel of one of my funeral director partners while the deceased is cared for and before removal for cremation.

Natural Burial

A traditional burial has what is arguably the worse impact on the environment because of the elements used in the process.

As a forward thinking funeral provider, I would encourage a more modern, less toxic approach in the form of a natural burial. The body is buried in a bio degradable coffin or shroud with the ultimate goal of its return to nature from whence it came.

Kind Words

Caroline C

Thank you again for the lovely service you provided for W, we all found it comforting and I particularly felt lighter afterwards, and can now focus on remembering the good times W gave us.

E and B

We would like to say thank you for the lovely ceremony yesterday celebrating my mother’s life. It really was very special. Thank you for all your help and guidance.

Tracy B

We just wanted to say that Dad's funeral was such a beautiful service and to say that you did an amazing, brilliant job, words can't explain how grateful we are.
We really appreciate the time that you spent with us to hear all about Mum and the way that you put this into words, it was really beautiful.

This made the day go very smoothly and feel just right. Several guests commented on your excellent eulogy and the delivery of it, which we all felt the same.

I feel that what you do is an art.

Debbie R

I really want to say a very big thank you for the help and guidance you gave us in putting together the service for Dads funeral.

It was so lovely and you made it so special for us x

Sue O

We just wanted to thank you for the incredible job you did yesterday; you're wonderful Eulogy was as if you'd known him. The whole family were blown away my your insightful, humorous and loving reflection of our father.

You made the whole process so easy and stress free and despite our grief everyone enjoyed yesterday as strange as that may seem.

Tracie A

Thank you so much for your kind words about Mum and the support you have given to D and me.
Everyone said to me it was a lovely service and you delivered it with such compassion and sincerity, which I totally agree.

David A

Hi Caroline. I didn't get the opportunity to thank you in person for the wonderful service you did for mum today. Everyone said what a great service and a lovely voice you have. A job well done. Thank you. 

M & P

"Our dearly beloved Dad died at 104 and we could not have had a better Celebrant to bid him farewell.  Caroline was very professional, but at the same time very kind and friendly.  We felt that she invested her time to learn about our Dad and this made the service very personal, heartwarming and lighthearted.

Caroline definitely went that extra mile to provide the most memorable service.  I cannot recommend Caroline more highly, she really was excellent."

Jan S

"Just wanted to say a massive thank you for all your hard work in making a sad day into a day of celebration. The amount of people who have said how professional you were , and how you came across, to make the service run so smoothly.

You are a credit to your profession, and words cannot express my gratitude."

Libby P

"Caroline made what is a stressful and sad time of life, easy and comforting. Whilst arranging my Grandmas service, Caroline was very kind, patient and informative and we had such a lovely chat about Grandma, remembering her, and her amazing personality and achievements. Caroline’s wonderful words really did Grandma justice. Thank you!"

Andy W

"I just wanted to thank you so much for looking after arrangements for us on Tuesday and delivering a beautiful send off for dad. It was a difficult day for all of us but you helped make it both memorable and special, he most definitely would have approved."

Steve E

"Thank you so much for the way you conducted the service for my mum, everyone commented how it all came together and that was thanks to you"

P and family

"From the minute you arrived at my dad‘s bungalow, we knew you were the one to put our mum to rest.

Your lovely kind and professional manner made making the arrangements that much more bearable.

The service was beautiful, you conducted it as if you knew her, your warmth to us shone through.

You are a very special lady and we will always be so grateful to you for making that day for us so special and bearable."

Carole A

"Can't rate Caroline highly enough.

She is very friendly and considerate, but also very thorough and professional.

She did a wonderful job of my Aunts funeral and I would recommend her to anybody requiring a Celebrant.

Can't thank her enough for making a sad occasion so personal and special.

Thank you Caroline "

James, L and K

"We would like to thank you for all your help and guidance in the run up to the service yesterday. You did an amazing job delivering A’s eulogy and everyone said how beautiful and uplifting it was. "

Read More Testimonials

Coffins & caskets

There are so many different options for you to choose from and we can chat about them, the cost, sustainability and their suitability for your needs. My ethos is very much using eco friendly products whenever possible and I can source them for you accordingly.

Scattering of ashes

It is now well known that the scattering of ashes has a negative impact on our natural world. I have looked around and found other ways in which this old-fashioned practice can be modified, leaving less of a toxic footprint yet forming part of your need to say goodbye.

One such idea comes from a company which has developed a unique urn. The ashes are interred within and they combine to nurture a newly planted sapling of your choice. This is a living and growing memorial of the person who has gone away. This is something I can make happen for you.

There are many other options for the disposal of ashes, one of which is to use a smidgen of them to form a piece of beautiful bespoke jewellery. I have teamed up with an expert in this field and can put you in touch with them if this is an option which appeals to you.

Funeral ceremony orders of service

People have told me that they are fed up with the same cookie-cutter order of service for the ceremony. I have therefore teamed up with some people who will work with us towards something special and unique, without breaking the bank.

The Possibilities are Endless

 

Just send me a message or give me a call for more info and we will make a plan.
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